Pascual Jordan

Pascual Jordan
Pascual Jordan in the 1920s
Born
Ernst Pascual Jordan

18 October 1902
Died31 July 1980(1980-07-31) (aged 77)
NationalityGerman
EducationTechnical University of Hannover
University of Göttingen
Known forQuantum mechanics
Quantum field theory
Canonical commutation relation
Matrix mechanics
Neutrino theory of light
Zero-energy universe
Skew lattice
Jordan algebra
Jordan–Brans–Dicke theory
Jordan and Einstein frames
Jordan map
Jordan–Wigner transformation
Pauli–Jordan function
AwardsAckermann–Teubner Memorial Award (1937)
Max Planck Medal (1942)
Konrad Adenauer Prize (1971)
Scientific career
FieldsTheoretical physics
InstitutionsUniversity of Rostock
University of Berlin
University of Hamburg
Doctoral advisorMax Born
Doctoral studentsJürgen Ehlers
Engelbert Schücking
Wolfgang Kundt

Ernst Pascual Jordan (German: [ˈɛʁnst pasˈku̯al ˈjɔʁdaːn]; 18 October 1902 – 31 July 1980) was a German theoretical and mathematical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. He contributed much to the mathematical form of matrix mechanics, and developed canonical anticommutation relations for fermions. He introduced Jordan algebras in an effort to formalize quantum field theory; the algebras have since found numerous applications within mathematics.[1]

Jordan joined the Nazi Party in 1933, but did not follow the Deutsche Physik movement, which at the time rejected quantum physics developed by Albert Einstein and other Jewish physicists. After the Second World War, he entered politics for the conservative party CDU and served as a member of parliament from 1957 to 1961.

  1. ^ McCrimmon, Kevin (2004). A taste of Jordan algebras (PDF). New York: Springer. ISBN 0-387-95447-3.